Sierra Leone Kicked Out of AFCON 2019 Qualifiers

After the not so surprising news that Cameroon had been stripped of its 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations hosting rights, the CAF Executive Committee at its meeting on Friday, 30 November 2018 in Accra also decided on the case of Sierra Leone in the 2019 AFCON.

Sierra Leone has been disqualified from the qualifiers and all its matches are annulled. This will result in a group of 3 teams which puts Kenya at the top of Group F with 7 points from 3 matches, the Black Stars of Ghana with 6 points from 3 matches, whereas Ethiopia sports 1 point from four matches with a -8 goal difference.

Although Sierra Leone’s disqualification seems to come late after a FIFA suspension that is yet to be lifted, CAF’s decision has come six months to the tournament billed for summer next year.

CAF still has the issue of what member association will host the event after withdrawing Cameroon’s rights at the Extraordinary Meeting after announcing that interested parties are expected to submit bid proposals by December 31, 2018.